A more in-depth career mode will be available where your character will be interviewed and your responses matter for your progression in your team. If you make a negative remark in reference to your car it will effect team moral and how the paddock perceives you as a driver. Also you can now have your agent attempt to get you a contract with a team of your choosing and negotiations will come into play based on the choices you have made and of course your performance on track.

I'm still hoping that some day they'll put in a real classic from the 1950s, and also a pack of tracks from that era of Grand Prix racing, with straw bales for track limits and houses right by the roads. Now that would be more different!

I'm still hoping that some day they'll put in a real classic from the 1950s, and also a pack of tracks from that era of Grand Prix racing, with straw bales for track limits and houses right by the roads. Now that would be more different!

Would definately be different, not sure it that’s in the code master budget , but I would love to see 50’s cars and original track layouts with the Bumps in the road.

Might actually give this one a bash.... though I always get the fear that i'll end up wanting to splash out on a full wheel setup that I just cant justify Think the last one I bought was 2014? It was the one where the AI was stupidly good at Barcelona in Qualy.

"Now there is the possibility of a rule change at the end of the season, and if the player chooses to protect some of their R&D [points] then they can start the next season with a strong car," he added.

"The AI can do the same - and if they don't protect the right upgrades, they might start the season with a poor car the next year.

"Each season the actual grid order can be vastly different, and I think that's a really exciting thing we've done this year."

Sounds like it wont impact on the visuals of the cars but pretty cool all the same. I'd like to see visual changes to the cars with certain upgrades personally, little winglets etc. would add a nice touch.

"Now there is the possibility of a rule change at the end of the season, and if the player chooses to protect some of their R&D [points] then they can start the next season with a strong car," he added.

"The AI can do the same - and if they don't protect the right upgrades, they might start the season with a poor car the next year.

"Each season the actual grid order can be vastly different, and I think that's a really exciting thing we've done this year."

Sounds like it wont impact on the visuals of the cars but pretty cool all the same. I'd like to see visual changes to the cars with certain upgrades personally, little winglets etc. would add a nice touch.

Nice, I wonder how severe of a rule change. Maybe the simplified front wing or even individual engine components. I like that it will introduce something to shake up the pecking order. Makes it more interesting now when you start from a lower team as you fight hard to bring it up too speed but a rule change can put you right back down the order.,.

What team do you guys see yourself starting your career with on this one??? - I’m thinking about starting my career with Sauber

On 2017 my plan was to go Sauber-Renault-Ferrari but I didn't put the time in and mainly played non career mode stuff so I've decided to just try and win the title with Renault and call it quits there (unless for whatever reason I decide to come back to it one day).

So for this one I'm thinking McLaren for a few seasons, bring them back to the front in that beautiful papaya orange and then move to Ferrari. I've never driven for Ferrari in an F1 game career mode that's my plan for this one.

What team do you guys see yourself starting your career with on this one??? - I’m thinking about starting my career with Sauber

On 2017 my plan was to go Sauber-Renault-Ferrari but I didn't put the time in and mainly played non career mode stuff so I've decided to just try and win the title with Renault and call it quits there (unless for whatever reason I decide to come back to it one day).

So for this one I'm thinking McLaren for a few seasons, bring them back to the front in that beautiful papaya orange and then move to Ferrari. I've never driven for Ferrari in an F1 game career mode that's my plan for this one.

(added rule change video at the top)

I did a Mclaren career in F1 2016 and brought them to the front. Was a lot of fun, many great battles at the front. 2017 I didn’t dedicate that much time into a career. Just raced with the big 3 mostly and the classic cars..

last time I worked my way up to Ferrari was way back in F1 2011 when I started with virgin racing and moved to Ferrari. That car was a beast

Hopefully they do something about the physics in this game. I loaded up the 2017 game again last night thinking I'd give it another go and I was again disappointed. I've always played more simulation games in the past (GT, rFactor, Assetto Corsa etc), and I just find the Codemasters handling to be far too close to an arcade game. Maybe it's because I'm using a PS4 controller (Though I don't struggle nearly as much on GT Sport), but I just can't bring myself to enjoy the handling of the Codemasters F1 games.

I wish they'd put less emphasis on the narrative behind the game and more on the quality of the driving. I guess that's not what the majority of paying players are indicating they want, though.

Given that F1 drivers have said that the games are nothing like real life, I don't understand why there's an eSports series based on them. At least something resembling reality might be entertaining and remotely indicative of real life.

Added new dev diary #3 to the top of the page. Discusses new handling characteristics. Also how the game now accurately reflects actual horsepower, down force and drag numbers. Tire temps are now a players responsibility and managing the tires will be a bigger factor along with ers management.

- with the game release only a week away, the hype is looking great but will the game deliver?

Am excited to buy this game day after. Even though had wished there would've been a year's gap more to last year's F1 2017. Similar to how Gran Turismo releases their games with some years in between. In F1, a release I know corresponds a specific year so not possible. I enjoyed the career mode a lot & in F1 2018, will mostly play Time Trials, Events & Career mode.

Added new dev diary to the top thanks, .... Looking forward to this one as well. I have been watching some action from youtubers, and I like what I’m seeing so far. Very curious to see how the new handling characteristics are.

Added new dev diary to the top thanks, .... Looking forward to this one as well. I have been watching some action from youtubers, and I like what I’m seeing so far. Very curious to see how the new handling characteristics are.

Just 2 days & I'll be buying the game. I too did think the resource points system could be revised or the parts could be a little cheaper to purchase for development. I also hope the VSC / SC issue has been rectified.

Just 2 days & I'll be buying the game. I too did think the resource points system could be revised or the parts could be a little cheaper to purchase for development. I also hope the VSC / SC issue has been rectified.

I agree some of the upgrades are pricey for what they are but having them be on the expensive side does make it more rewarding when you complete the team objectives and earn the upgrades. If the upgrades were cheaper you would fly through all the upgrades bringing a back market to the front in no time.

Just 2 days & I'll be buying the game. I too did think the resource points system could be revised or the parts could be a little cheaper to purchase for development. I also hope the VSC / SC issue has been rectified.

I agree some of the upgrades are pricey for what they are but having them be on the expensive side does make it more rewarding when you complete the team objectives and earn the upgrades. If the upgrades were cheaper you would fly through all the upgrades bringing a back market to the front in no time.

Yeah. That's what career mode was for. Slowly but surely improve the team. I've gotten Sauber close to the mi group in performance & Force India close to the top in 3 years of development. Wanted to try McLaren but they're far too unreliable (realistically)!

Got the game coming on Friday and I'm pretty hyped, the only thing I'm a little worried about is the ERS management, I use the Thrustmaster TX and the directional buttons are very hard to use accurately.

From what I've seen of the gameplay so far to manage the ERS effectively you need to make a good 20 plus changes per lap which is going to be very hard for me to do and stay on the pace because I need to constantly look at the bottom right of the screen to check I've pressed the button right. Don't really fancy buying a new wheel but may have to if I can't get used to it.

I've given up on my F1 2017 career mode, got to Austria in the lead of the championship with Renault before last weekend but figured that to finish before release day I'd have to grind out 2 races a day and I'd just be doing it to get it done, not have fun.

Got the game coming on Friday and I'm pretty hyped, the only thing I'm a little worried about is the ERS management, I use the Thrustmaster TX and the directional buttons are very hard to use accurately.

From what I've seen of the gameplay so far to manage the ERS effectively you need to make a good 20 plus changes per lap which is going to be very hard for me to do and stay on the pace because I need to constantly look at the bottom right of the screen to check I've pressed the button right. Don't really fancy buying a new wheel but may have to if I can't get used to it.

I've given up on my F1 2017 career mode, got to Austria in the lead of the championship with Renault before last weekend but figured that to finish before release day I'd have to grind out 2 races a day and I'd just be doing it to get it done, not have fun.

I use a dualshock controller for my PS4 so it's going to be harder for me! I've got 2 careers going on. 1 is in my 6th season with Force India where the team is just behind Red Bull in development & overall speed. I got bored with all the winning so started a 2nd career back with Sauber. It's fun to struggle & earn points the hard way or just fight in the midfield.

Got the game coming on Friday and I'm pretty hyped, the only thing I'm a little worried about is the ERS management, I use the Thrustmaster TX and the directional buttons are very hard to use accurately.

From what I've seen of the gameplay so far to manage the ERS effectively you need to make a good 20 plus changes per lap which is going to be very hard for me to do and stay on the pace because I need to constantly look at the bottom right of the screen to check I've pressed the button right. Don't really fancy buying a new wheel but may have to if I can't get used to it.

I've given up on my F1 2017 career mode, got to Austria in the lead of the championship with Renault before last weekend but figured that to finish before release day I'd have to grind out 2 races a day and I'd just be doing it to get it done, not have fun.

I use a dualshock controller for my PS4 so it's going to be harder for me! I've got 2 careers going on. 1 is in my 6th season with Force India where the team is just behind Red Bull in development & overall speed. I got bored with all the winning so started a 2nd career back with Sauber. It's fun to struggle & earn points the hard way or just fight in the midfield.

That doesn’t seem like a good idea blackflag u’ll get burnt out just before 2018 releases... I also got in coming in on Friday. I’ve been doing some practice session on Australia just to get a feel for it again.

@ UnlikeUday, I play on PS4 as well with the controller I might have to use my fps controller that has paddles to aid in all the additional buttons and such. I play F1 games for fun so let’s see what tinkerings will have to be done with the settings as far as driving aids are concerned. It’s always a different feel with the controller vs a driving rig. If the throttle as touchy as some of the vids I have seen are starting my career with Sauber is gonna be a rough ride lol.

Got the game coming on Friday and I'm pretty hyped, the only thing I'm a little worried about is the ERS management, I use the Thrustmaster TX and the directional buttons are very hard to use accurately.

From what I've seen of the gameplay so far to manage the ERS effectively you need to make a good 20 plus changes per lap which is going to be very hard for me to do and stay on the pace because I need to constantly look at the bottom right of the screen to check I've pressed the button right. Don't really fancy buying a new wheel but may have to if I can't get used to it.

I've given up on my F1 2017 career mode, got to Austria in the lead of the championship with Renault before last weekend but figured that to finish before release day I'd have to grind out 2 races a day and I'd just be doing it to get it done, not have fun.

I use a dualshock controller for my PS4 so it's going to be harder for me! I've got 2 careers going on. 1 is in my 6th season with Force India where the team is just behind Red Bull in development & overall speed. I got bored with all the winning so started a 2nd career back with Sauber. It's fun to struggle & earn points the hard way or just fight in the midfield.

That doesn’t seem like a good idea blackflag u’ll get burnt out just before 2018 releases... I also got in coming in on Friday. I’ve been doing some practice session on Australia just to get a feel for it again.

@ UnlikeUday, I play on PS4 as well with the controller I might have to use my fps controller that has paddles to aid in all the additional buttons and such. I play F1 games for fun so let’s see what tinkerings will have to be done with the settings as far as driving aids are concerned. It’s always a different feel with the controller vs a driving rig. If the throttle as touchy as some of the vids I have seen are starting my career with Sauber is gonna be a rough ride lol.

In F1 2017, starting with Sauber was the most fun option as they were the most weak team. I believe in F1 2018, Williams will be the worst team.

As for the controls, I'm going to take a screenshot of my current control setup to know which assist / aid is calibrated with which button. I'm driving my career with 85% AI difficulty. Will again have to gauge myself against the AI before starting the career.

I also believe the event section will be having the Belgium TT so as to speak like how we had in F1 2017. But this all stopped after qualifications for F1 Esports closed down. So don't know if the event section is still there & playable.

Bought the game 1 hour back. It's 'Headline Edition'. Also will be able to download the Brawn GP & Williams FW25 cars from the online store. Quite excited!

I got the same edition..., WOW The speed & grip difference in this years game is noticeable immediately. The shorter braking zones feel incredible and you can really feel the grip levels. Forget what you know about 2017, it’s not gonna work in this game. So far been doing just time trails to get acclimated with the game and very impressed thus far

Bought the game 1 hour back. It's 'Headline Edition'. Also will be able to download the Brawn GP & Williams FW25 cars from the online store. Quite excited!

I got the same edition..., WOW The speed & grip difference in this years game is noticeable immediately. The shorter braking zones feel incredible and you can really feel the grip levels. Forget what you know about 2017, it’s not gonna work in this game. So far been doing just time trails to get acclimated with the game and very impressed thus far

Agree with You. DO take some time out to try the event at Spa. In F1 2017, the event would be for 5 laps or so but here it's for 10 laps or so. I'm having quite some difficulty in going through Eau Rouge as my car oversteers & I crash into the barriers.

Bought the game 1 hour back. It's 'Headline Edition'. Also will be able to download the Brawn GP & Williams FW25 cars from the online store. Quite excited!

I got the same edition..., WOW The speed & grip difference in this years game is noticeable immediately. The shorter braking zones feel incredible and you can really feel the grip levels. Forget what you know about 2017, it’s not gonna work in this game. So far been doing just time trails to get acclimated with the game and very impressed thus far

Agree with You. DO take some time out to try the event at Spa. In F1 2017, the event would be for 5 laps or so but here it's for 10 laps or so. I'm having quite some difficulty in going through Eau Rouge as my car oversteers & I crash into the barriers.

I’ve been sticking to Melbourne since I wanna start my career pretty quickly.. though I will say that they have delivered on the new handling characteristics. When you go up on the curb it really can throw the car outta wack depending on your speed, angle and your throttle you can lose the rear in a heart beat..

What team are you using UnlikeUday???? Ive only driven the Sauber thus far and Its a hand full driving and I quite like the challenge. ( Car needs more downforce, engine feels good though) There is a lot more throttle management to be aware of.

The setup changes you make are also more noticeable. I’ve been working just getting the car setup for Melbourne, I’m pretty close where I want it to be now I just gotta see how it feels with the different fuel loads and try out different tire compounds.

Bought the game 1 hour back. It's 'Headline Edition'. Also will be able to download the Brawn GP & Williams FW25 cars from the online store. Quite excited!

I got the same edition..., WOW The speed & grip difference in this years game is noticeable immediately. The shorter braking zones feel incredible and you can really feel the grip levels. Forget what you know about 2017, it’s not gonna work in this game. So far been doing just time trails to get acclimated with the game and very impressed thus far

Agree with You. DO take some time out to try the event at Spa. In F1 2017, the event would be for 5 laps or so but here it's for 10 laps or so. I'm having quite some difficulty in going through Eau Rouge as my car oversteers & I crash into the barriers.

I’ve been sticking to Melbourne since I wanna start my career pretty quickly.. though I will say that they have delivered on the new handling characteristics. When you go up on the curb it really can throw the car outta wack depending on your speed, angle and your throttle you can lose the rear in a heart beat..

What team are you using UnlikeUday???? Ive only driven the Sauber thus far and Its a hand full driving and I quite like the challenge. ( Car needs more downforce, engine feels good though) There is a lot more throttle management to be aware of.

The setup changes you make are also more noticeable. I’ve been working just getting the car setup for Melbourne, I’m pretty close where I want it to be now I just gotta see how it feels with the different fuel loads and try out different tire compounds.

I'm more concentrating on the Event as of now where I'm in Sainz's shoes. In TT, I've only driven Force India.

I'm happy that in the map display, the tiny specks (drivers) are now denoted in the colour of the team. Makes it more pleasant & worthwhile to see. But still wish that instead of showing 3 drivers in the standings (where You'll be in the middle, 1 above & 1 under You, I feel there should be 5 drivers that should be shown.

Bought the game 1 hour back. It's 'Headline Edition'. Also will be able to download the Brawn GP & Williams FW25 cars from the online store. Quite excited!

I got the same edition..., WOW The speed & grip difference in this years game is noticeable immediately. The shorter braking zones feel incredible and you can really feel the grip levels. Forget what you know about 2017, it’s not gonna work in this game. So far been doing just time trails to get acclimated with the game and very impressed thus far

Agree with You. DO take some time out to try the event at Spa. In F1 2017, the event would be for 5 laps or so but here it's for 10 laps or so. I'm having quite some difficulty in going through Eau Rouge as my car oversteers & I crash into the barriers.

I’ve been sticking to Melbourne since I wanna start my career pretty quickly.. though I will say that they have delivered on the new handling characteristics. When you go up on the curb it really can throw the car outta wack depending on your speed, angle and your throttle you can lose the rear in a heart beat..

What team are you using UnlikeUday???? Ive only driven the Sauber thus far and Its a hand full driving and I quite like the challenge. ( Car needs more downforce, engine feels good though) There is a lot more throttle management to be aware of.

The setup changes you make are also more noticeable. I’ve been working just getting the car setup for Melbourne, I’m pretty close where I want it to be now I just gotta see how it feels with the different fuel loads and try out different tire compounds.

I'm more concentrating on the Event as of now where I'm in Sainz's shoes. In TT, I've only driven Force India.

I'm happy that in the map display, the tiny specks (drivers) are now denoted in the colour of the team. Makes it more pleasant & worthwhile to see. But still wish that instead of showing 3 drivers in the standings (where You'll be in the middle, 1 above & 1 under You, I feel there should be 5 drivers that should be shown.

Yeah. I need to lift off a little as the car starts to climb Eau Rouge. I'm using a setup from F1 carsetup website which has given the car some stability but I think all those using a DS4 are suffering a little as this time the cars are more twitchy in handling (more realism).

Yeah. I need to lift off a little as the car starts to climb Eau Rouge. I'm using a setup from F1 carsetup website which has given the car some stability but I think all those using a DS4 are suffering a little as this time the cars are more twitchy in handling (more realism).

Try diff 100% & go 3 clicks softer on the rear shocks. That straighten it out for me.

Yeah. I need to lift off a little as the car starts to climb Eau Rouge. I'm using a setup from F1 carsetup website which has given the car some stability but I think all those using a DS4 are suffering a little as this time the cars are more twitchy in handling (more realism).

Try diff 100% & go 3 clicks softer on the rear shocks. That straighten it out for me.

Are You sure about 100% differential? Would it be on or off throttle? I usually run 50% to 60% only.

Yeah. I need to lift off a little as the car starts to climb Eau Rouge. I'm using a setup from F1 carsetup website which has given the car some stability but I think all those using a DS4 are suffering a little as this time the cars are more twitchy in handling (more realism).

Try diff 100% & go 3 clicks softer on the rear shocks. That straighten it out for me.

Are You sure about 100% differential? Would it be on or off throttle? I usually run 50% to 60% only.

Locked diff will give u equal power to both wheels ( when u clip the kerb u don’t lose speed on that side) normally I run 75% on & 65% off but I noticed when I went through rouge locking the diff didn’t disturb the car balance. So when u are on the front straight lock ur diff take turn 1 and get ready for rouge., play with the diff number as your driving. Our styles are clearly different but you can see noticeable gains by changing settings for certain corners.

Yeah. I need to lift off a little as the car starts to climb Eau Rouge. I'm using a setup from F1 carsetup website which has given the car some stability but I think all those using a DS4 are suffering a little as this time the cars are more twitchy in handling (more realism).

Try diff 100% & go 3 clicks softer on the rear shocks. That straighten it out for me.

Are You sure about 100% differential? Would it be on or off throttle? I usually run 50% to 60% only.

Locked diff will give u equal power to both wheels ( when u clip the kerb u don’t lose speed on that side) normally I run 75% on & 65% off but I noticed when I went through rouge locking the diff didn’t disturb the car balance. So when u are on the front straight lock ur diff take turn 1 and get ready for rouge., play with the diff number as your driving. Our styles are clearly different but you can see noticeable gains by changing settings for certain corners.

Yeah. I need to lift off a little as the car starts to climb Eau Rouge. I'm using a setup from F1 carsetup website which has given the car some stability but I think all those using a DS4 are suffering a little as this time the cars are more twitchy in handling (more realism).

Try diff 100% & go 3 clicks softer on the rear shocks. That straighten it out for me.

Are You sure about 100% differential? Would it be on or off throttle? I usually run 50% to 60% only.

Locked diff will give u equal power to both wheels ( when u clip the kerb u don’t lose speed on that side) normally I run 75% on & 65% off but I noticed when I went through rouge locking the diff didn’t disturb the car balance. So when u are on the front straight lock ur diff take turn 1 and get ready for rouge., play with the diff number as your driving. Our styles are clearly different but you can see noticeable gains by changing settings for certain corners.

Thanks. Will try this and update You!

No problem lmk....

I started my career with Sauber here’s my 2nd practice program unedited / no rewinds

I still haven't got around to starting a career mode yet, I've been messing around in TT with the classic cars mainly and working out how best to set my controls up for the 2018 cars.

I think I've settled on binding an ERS increase shortcut to B and and ERS decrease shortcut to the 'view' button. Using the view button is fine because that just changed the camera angle before and I didn't use that anyway but annoyingly B I used for voice control (where you can ask for weather updates etc.) so I'll just have to make do without it.

There are a few additional buttons on my wheel but they're just mapped to effectively be a second 'A' button etc. and I'm not sure of anyway to change it to be it's own independent button for control bindings.